Being a part of a family means facing the world with the strength and support of loving, caring peers. Life’s ups and downs are easier to handle when there are family members willing to shoulder some of the burdens and celebrate the successes. All of that love and support can be twisted and shifted, when one member of the family has Substance Use Disorder or the disease of addiction. Those bends and shifts are sometimes defined as enabling behaviors, and they could serve to keep a drug addiction (or Substance Use Disorder) in place.

Peer support groups like Al-Anon can put family members in touch with others who know a great deal about Substance Use Disorder and drug addiction, and the information shared in these meetings can lead to transformation and reformation. In fact, according to a 2012 Al-Anon membership survey, 88 percent of people who came to meetings for …

I want to disclose upfront that I’ve only been to a little over 2 dozen AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings and didn’t obtain a sponsor or go through the steps. Now, I already know upfront that many will dismiss my point of view (which remains positive and open minded) or what I have to say because they believe the Big Book of AA is an authoritative source on alcohol and drug addiction, treatment and recovery and that Alcoholics Anonymous is the “only way” to sobriety. I have always disagreed with this and still do. I believe there are multiple ways to get addiction treatment, help and maintain one’s sobriety and long-term recovery. I do however, believe that Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are valuable tools that can and maybe even should be used by most …

Religion, spirituality and God are very personal subjects that many are afraid to talk about because they often result in arguments amongst even the best of friends. However, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and even many drug rehab facilities and addiction treatment centers discuss the role of a “higher power” when it comes to healing drug addiction and alcoholism. They use and discuss the abstract concept of “powerlessness” which ultimately means that men and women suffering from the disease of addiction have no control over their disease and they need something or someone bigger than themselves to heal them or at least stop them from using drugs and alcohol. This is where the concept of “God” is usually discussed or at least thought about. Do you believe in God? Who or what is your higher power? Perhaps God doesn’t come to mind at all. Many …

Heroin withdrawal often involves 3 stages of symptoms that unfold over a rough time frame that spans hours to days since the last instance of drug use. The first stage of opiate withdrawal symptoms typically appears up to 6-12 hours after the last heroin dose. Second stage symptoms can appear 8-24 hours after the last dose, and third stage symptoms may appear up to 3 days after the last dose. Symptoms are usually at their worst 24-48 hours after first appearing but may continue for several days.

Although each individual may experience a unique set of symptoms while going through heroin withdrawal, a few characteristic physiologic and psychological occurrences can be seen. Below are some of the most commonly experienced symptoms.

Stage 1 – Heroin Withdrawal

• Cravings. Heroin-dependent individuals have acclimated to a persistent presence of drug in their system. As such, those in the midst of an acute withdrawal may …

According to The National Institute on Drug Abuse, six million Americans 12 years old and older have tried cocaine in 2006 and 1.5 million have tried or used crack cocaine (commonly referred to on the streets as “hard”) at least once in the past year. One of the most addictive drugs, cocaine gives users a euphoric feeling and makes them more energetic. Besides the impact to their families and employment, cocaine users risk heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and respiratory failure. In isolated cases, sudden death has been attributed to cocaine use. Cocaine may be snorted, inhaled, smoked or injected, with each method of administration producing a different duration and intensity of effect. Below are several signs to look for which may indicate someone you know or love is using or addicted to cocaine.

Regular Cocaine Users Experience Physical Changes

Look for physical changes if you think someone you know is using cocaine. …

Crystal methamphetamine addiction is one of the most pervasive substance abuse threats in the country. Not only has it led to the fatal or nearly fatal overdoses of thousands of victims; it has also degraded communities everywhere and led to a dramatic increase in pharmacy burglaries and other criminal activity. The crystal methamphetamine (also called meth) production process, usually undertaken in dangerous, uncontrolled and unsanitary basement labs, has created public health crises across the entire United States. Once confined primarily to the Southern and Middle United States, crystal meth addiction is now a threat everywhere and affects victims of all backgrounds. Families and loved ones of suspected crystal meth abuse sufferers are urged to look for signs which commonly include, but are not limited to:

Kill the Heroin Epidemic Nationwide started about a year and a half ago with the intention of only recommending and working with the best addiction treatment centers and drug rehabs in the country. That way, men and women suffering from substance use disorder who are eligible for treatment at a private drug rehab facility can easily find and get into outstanding, recognized top drug rehab facilities without having to do a lot of research. That said, our community always encourages men and women suffering from the disease of addiction to research all drug rehabs they are considering because not all are treating their patients fairly and ethically. Kill the Heroin Epidemic Nationwide is proud to recommend Addiction Treatment Services International (ATSI) in Galloway, New Jersey.

William Charles, owner and publisher of this community had the pleasure of speaking with several staff members at Addiction Treatment Services International (ATSI). …

The below addiction blog was submitted to me by a friend of ours who would like to remain anonymous. However, he wanted to share his story, which he claims was one of the most horrifying experiences of his life. Below is his story.

It was just another morning, there was nothing special about it – at least that’s how it started. I woke up a little earlier than I normally did so I could get to Kensington to get my fix of heroin and Cocaine (affectionately known as “powder” on the streets) for a few days. I was using both heroin and Cocaine. I knew they could kill me but I was in too much emotional pain to care. Cocaine would provide me with energy and feelings of happiness and heroin helped relax me and make the “come down” from Cocaine just a little easier to bear. I remember what I …

A parent’s greatest fear is seeing their child fall into drug addiction, especially to the point where they feel helpless, hopeless and can’t do anything about it. But did you know that in attempting to love your child you may be pushing your child further into drug addiction? Did you know this enabling behavior could potentially and unintentionally cause a heroin or drug overdose? And it’s not just parents. Enabling can affect spouses, friends, family members, co-workers, associates an more. Below, we define enabling and provide real-time strategies for really helping your drug addicted loved one.

What is Enabling?

The term “enabling” has gained widespread recognition and use in popular culture and media over the past several decades. It is a label that can result in a great deal of anxiety and guilt for anyone who has been accused of being, or suspects that they may be, an enabler. In its original …

Our community is inundated with emails and phone calls by men and women without money and without insurance claiming that nobody will help them overcome their addiction. They’ve made dozens of phone calls and contacted a multitude of drug rehab facilities all to be turned down because they don’t have money or the right private PPO insurance policy. There is something these men and women simply don’t understand. Forget for now, whether it’s right or wrong for drug rehab facilities and/or organizations that claim to help people find addiction treatment to turn people away without money or insurance. Instead, consider the reality that there are actually more affordable and even free ways to conquer heroin and drug addiction without needing to attend an elite, private addiction treatment center and a plethora of cash.

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We are a community of recovering heroin addicts providing support and recommending the best treatments and clinics to people interested in conquering their addiction.